Paris is every fashionista’s luxury playground. Here’s how to make the most of your visit to the fashion capital of the world.
Stay in a Haute Couture-inspired Suite
There’s no better way to kick off your French fashion tour than by staying in a room directly inspired by Haute Couture fashion.
The Peninsula Paris hotel showcases suites that exemplify the finest French heritage and savoir-faire. This year it launched three custom haute couture themed suites: the Peninsula Suite, the Historic Suite and the Katara Suite. Each is the sum of centuries-old artisan techniques combined with high fashion chic.
Suites start at EUR 2,090 per night.
For bargain rooms with just as much fashion flare, Hôtel du Petit Moulin is a four-star boutique hotel with interiors designed entirely by iconic French designer Christian LaCroix. The hotel is ideally situated in the famous Marais district, surrounded by the Picasso and Carnavelet museums, Place des Vosges, and the Opéra Bastille.
Rooms from AUD $288 – $500
Take a private luxury shopping tour
Fabulous You does three-hour personalized shopping tours of Paris accompanied by a professional stylist and personal shopper. Sip champagne as you browse some of the city’s most exclusive boutiques. They also arrange teen shopping tours, which makes for a great gift idea for girls.
A three-hour shopping tour for two is EUR 350, while teen group tours start at EUR 50 per person.
Enjoy a personalised shopping experience at the city’s most renowned department stores
Legendary department store Printemps Haussmann offers the ultimate in personalised shopping with appointment only personal shopping services. Their lifestyle and fashion experts provide one-on-one and customised services, such as tailored wardrobes and exclusive access to luxury and limited edition items.
Prices are on request.
For all of the above shopping services plus a stay at the luxury Mandarin Oriental, there is the J’aime la Mode package. As well as personalized shopping you’ll receive gourmet breakfast, spa credit and a Printemps VIP card with special offer.
Prices start at EUR 1,175 per person, per night.
The city’s other iconic department store, Galleries Lafayette, naturally does its own private shopping too. For elite customers seeking a more relaxed, personal experience, the store’s 4,300-square-foot private shopping sanctuary, La Suite, awaits. Makeup and beauty treatments begin the experience, followed by champagne and gourmet nibbles, before your personal designer reveals high-fashion items and customized style tips.
A half-day experience starts at EUR 4,254.
Take a specialised fashion workshop
Perfect for those in the bridal couture and wedding photography businesses or simply just brides-to-be, Moda e Arte is an all-inclusive luxury workshop that showcases all things bridal. Not only will you be staying in a luxury Parisian hotel, you’ll get to photograph styled shoots and work with professional models as well as attend bridal-fashion themed events and dinners.
Join the waitlist for the three-day Spring 2016 workshop here.
The Ooh La La! Vintage experience combines learning and shopping. Informed of your favourite vintage desires and dress sizes in advance, the vintage boutique will present a treasure chest of specially selected clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as insider tips and a brief history of fashion.
A shopping tour with transport, masterclass and afternoon tea starts at EUR 275.
Get a one-off luxury handbag designed just for you
LaContrie never makes the same bag twice. After choosing a style from the collection, customers can select the material, colour palette and lining for their new item and watch as it’s made in front of them. Hot-stamping allows for a name, date or initials to be added to ensure your design is uniquely yours.
Enjoy a high-fashion high tea
Le Bristol Paris has been hosting Fashion Saturdays for a decade and their popularity is far from dwindling. From 2.30pm to 4pm every weekend you can admire signature pieces from exclusive collections as you enjoy high tea. Models will mingle with guests as they showcase major design houses such as Céline, Yves Saint-Laurent, Givenchy, Chloé, Christian Lacroix and Versace, to name but a few.
EUR 70 includes a glass of champagne plus tea and nibbles.
